In the final phases of Amda Siyon’s expansionist military campaigns, his forces pushed into Muslim-controlled territories. At this point, according to The Glorious Victories, Siyon’s wars took on an overtly religious dimension. In the speech to his army included here, Siyon acknowledged this shift, urging to his soldiers who had long fought for their king to “now be ready to fight for Christ.” In essence, Siyon’s campaigns had become a holy war. As you read the speech, think about what it tells you about Ethiopian Christianity. Why might a call for holy war have helped strengthen the bond between Siyon and his troops?

In the east, in the west, in the north, in the south, in Tigre, in Guajam, in Waggara, in Damot, in Hadya, in all (the places) where we have fought, have we not conquered through the power of God, killed (our enemies), and taken prisoner the survivors, great and small, including their rulers? Now be not afraid in face of the rebels; be not divided; for God is fighting for us. And if they come against you with the bow and spear, you (also) have the bow and spear. Have you not heard what these Moslem rebels who know not Christ say against the anointed of God: “When the Christians kill us we become martyrs, and when we kill the Christians we gain paradise”? Thus do rebel Moslems speak, who have no hope of salvation and are (yet) eager to die. Why then do you fear the rebels, you who know the Father and Son, and the Holy Spirit, who are baptized in His name, and are sanctified by the Blood? For long you have made yourselves ready to fight for me; now be ready to fight for Christ, as it is said in the Book of Canons, “Slay the infidels and renegades with the sword of iron, and draw the sword on behalf of the perfect faith.” Gird on then your swords, make ready your hearts, and be not fearful in spirit, but be valiant and put your trust in God, as says the Book of Psalms in Psalm 55: “In God have I put my trust; I shall not fear what living man can do to me. God will help me and I shall see mine enemies.” And again it says, “All peoples surround me, but in the name of God I have defeated them. And speaking with indignation the king declared to his army, ‘You have left your courage behind you, but (now) put it in front of you, for that is its place, and cast away fear from among you. As for me, I have sworn by the living God, the creator of heaven and earth, that whether there is rain or whether there is drought I will not return to my capital till I have destroyed the rebels through the power of Jesus Christ my Lord, the Son of God. And whether we die or whether we live, we are in (the care of) God. I have strengthened my heart in Christ.’”

Source: The Glorious Victories of Amda Seyon, King of Ethiopia, translated by G. W. B. Huntington (1965), 407w from pp. 69–70. © Oxford University Press 1965. By permission of Oxford University Press.

Questions to Consider